Cynthia Carlson: Sixty Years

Cynthia Carlson is a key artist of the Pattern & Decoration group who responded to Minimalism's dominance in the 1970s with humorous multimedia explorations of domesticity and ornament. This is the first comprehensive volume on her, and her work has recently been revisited and reappraised in exhibitions and art scholarship. She utilizes architectural motifs and hand-painted wallpaper, and her artistic identity continues to morph.

Format: Hardback
Length: 224 pages
Publication date: 05 September 2023
Publisher: Distributed Art Publishers

Cynthia Carlson, a prominent figure in the 1970s Pattern & Decoration movement, emerged as a defiant protagonist who challenged the prevailing Minimalist orthodoxy. Through her humorous multimedia explorations of domesticity and ornament, she defied convention and offered a fresh perspective on the home. This comprehensive volume is the first to delve into the life and work of Carlson, a key artist within the Pattern & Decoration group.

In the mid-1960s, Carlson, a Chicagoan influenced by the Chicago Imagists, relocated to New York City, where she began to exhibit her art widely. Her work gained recognition when she was included in Lucy Lippard's influential 1971 exhibition, "26 Contemporary Women Artists," at the Aldrich Museum of Contemporary Art. Carlson's artistic interests were deeply rooted in the domestic realm, encompassing both its physical aspects and the emotional experiences associated with it. She explored the home as a source of shapes, a realm of familial chores, memories, and daily routines.

Carlson's approach to architecture was multifaceted, drawing inspiration from various sources. At times, she aligned with the vernacular embraced in the buildings of Venturi & Scott Brown, emphasizing the integration of architectural motifs into her artwork. However, she also ventured into the postmodern rehabilitation of Beaux-Arts ornament, employing it in her hand-painted wallpaper and other installations.

Her hand-painted wallpaper, in particular, is considered a significant contribution to contemporary installation art. Carlson's playful and intricate designs brought a sense of whimsy and charm to the walls, transforming ordinary spaces into captivating environments. Her work intersected with the works of other contemporary artists, such as Jennifer Bartlett, Joel Shapiro, and Elizabeth Murray, who shared her interest in the domestic and the exploration of personal and cultural identity.

Throughout her career, Carlson's artistic identity evolved and expanded. She experimented with various mediums, including room-size wallpaper, life-size gingerbread houses, and unexpected shaped canvasses. Her artwork encompassed architectural constructions, pet portraits, and even sculptural installations. Whatever she created, Carlson's work exuded high spirits, geniality, and insightful commentary on the human experience.

In conclusion, Cynthia Carlson's first retrospective offers a comprehensive exploration of the life and work of a pioneering artist who defied Minimalist conventions and embraced the joy and complexity of domestic life. Through her humorous multimedia explorations, she challenged the dominant artistic narratives of the time and left an indelible mark on the field of contemporary art. Carlson's legacy continues to inspire and influence artists today, reminding us of the power of creativity and the significance of the everyday in shaping our artistic identities.

Weight: 1630g
Dimension: 286 x 288 x 24 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781636811079